In a large mixer bowl, combine sugar, shortening, water, eggs, vanilla, and salt on medium speed until well blended and slightly fluffy. Add flour, continuing to mix on low speed until just blended. Add baking soda, and continue to mix only long enough to stir it in on low speed. Add oats 1 cup at a time, mixing on lowest speed, then remove from mixer, and stir in raisins by hand. Possible alternatives include stirring in 2 cups of raisins and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, 2 cups of chocolate or butterscotch chips, or mix raisins and chocolate chips for something really unusual. You can also add a cup of chopped nuts or shredded coconut. (the latter is especially useful if you wish to keep Catnip out of them : P) Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto aparchment or sil-pat lined baking sheet, about 2 or 3 inches apart. Bake one sheet at a time at 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes. When the cookies are done, they will look undercooked in the middle, but starting to brown along the outside. Let them cool for about five minutes on the cookie sheet, then remove them with a very thin spatula and lay on a flat surface for at least another hour before trying to store them. These cookies are fragile.